The Forum seeks new participants! (and other news…)

In this edition:

The Forum seeks participants (members and non-members) for new topics, following the AGM:

Complaints
To see how they are handled by Camden Council and explore what lessons can be learned

Billing
To improve the accuracy and clarity of bills from Camden Council and the communications surround them

Repairs
To improve the quality of repairs, the need for repeat visits, monitoring of contractors, etc etc!

Interactions with the Council whether through Leaseholder Services or directly
Potentially linking with the new Cabinet Member for Customers Communities and Culture

Survey of Tenant And Residents 2013 results
STAR enables comparisons between different boroughs; the aim is to look into lessons to be learned; areas to focus on improving; and how improvement might be measured.  Leaseholders are particularly unhappy with Camden; the full survey results are available online.

Regeneration (including the HS2 scheme)
Work with affected leaseholders to ensure the best possible outcomes and that their needs are taken into consideration within these projects

Capital Works programming
To work with Camden Council with improve costs, quality, scheduling, consultation efforts and improvement communications between Major Works and Repairs

Many of these are new and in response to requests at the AGM.  Each topic group will refine their precise remit; assess what works needs to be done to achieve it; how they will work together (whether, for instance, they will meet on an ad hoc basis or will just communicate by email or phone); and what they will need from the Forum, councillors and Officers, using the Forum power to require “persons and papers”.  Volunteers, who should most importantly be leaseholders keen to help, but also ideally have knowledge of the topic area, should respond by an e-mail to camden@leaseholdersforum.org.uk
 

Want to join in?
Our next elections are scheduled for 2015, but as highlighted above, we have a number of opportunities for leaseholders to participate now.  We are all volunteers who are interested in how Camden Council bills and works with leaseholders – we have no legal power, but we can request information from Camden Council and do contribute to improving their policies and dealings with leaseholders.

There are ultimately two different types of volunteers – non-members (technically known as observers) who give their time and knowledge as and when they can, and members who agree to attend our monthly meetings and get to vote on any issues where there are differences of opinion.  Members must also formally agree to be bound by our Code of Conduct.  More details are available in the “About Us” section on www.leaseholdersforum.org.uk.

If you’re interested in any of the above please drop us an email at camden@leaseholdersforum.org.uk stating why you think you would make a good volunteer; enthusiasm is the key aspect as other skills and knowledge can be gained en route!  Member biographies are published on our website, in case this helps with the emails.  Equally, if you have any questions do drop us a line or come along to our next meeting on the 29th July at 6.45pm at Camden Town Hall.
 

Annual Audit of Accounts
Leaseholders may query service charges through the usual challenge processes set out in the papers with service charge bills.  Each year there is another route to seeking information on Council spending, through the Annual Audit which is advertised in local papers.  Full details, including access arrangements, have been published on Camden’s website.
 

LVT Update
For the latest LVT update, including the determinations which have now been released, please see our recent update in our News Archive.
 

That’s it for now!
Paul Ginsberg
on behalf of Camden Leaseholders’ Forum
More information available at: https://www.leaseholdersforum.org.uk

If you know of anyone who would like to receive updates from Camden Leaseholders’ Forum please direct them to https://www.leaseholdersforum.org.uk/mailing-list where they can sign up.

The Leaseholders’ Forum is a volunteer group representing all leaseholders in Camden Council properties and freeholders paying service charges to Camden Council.  We scrutinise Camden Council proposals, examine working practices and lobby on behalf of leaseholders to Camden Council.

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About Camden Leaseholders' Forum

This is the official Camden Leaseholders' Forum account. Why not come along to one of our meetings to see us in the flesh? Alternatively email camden@leaseholdersforum.org.uk if you want to get in contact or, best yet, post to the Discussion Board and then you will not only hear from us, but also you fellow residents too, who have their own stories to tell and answers to give...